The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Review (Nintendo Switch)

For decades, The Legend of Zelda has captivated gamers with its enchanting mix of exploration, puzzle-solving, and unforgettable characters. From the NES original to the groundbreaking Breath of the Wild, each new entry has shaped the gaming landscape in profound ways. Now, with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Nintendo takes the series in a bold new direction, introducing a perspective we’ve never seen before.

What if Zelda herself took center stage? Not as a side character, but as the hero of her own adventure? Echoes of Wisdom dares to explore that possibility. It’s not just about rescuing Hyrule. Nintendo EPD is reimagining how we interact with the world of Zelda altogether. Building on the fantastic gameplay of Tears of the Kingdom, this game preserves the nostalgic charm fans adore. That said, let’s dive into The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom review and see how Nintendo has redefined the legendary series once again.

Classic Vibe with a Twist

At first glance, Echoes of Wisdom appears to be a throwback to the classic top-down games like A Link to the Past or Link’s Awakening. In this game, players continue venturing through the familiar lands of Hyrule, meeting iconic races like the Zoras and Gorons. At the same time, players take the time to solve puzzles in temples and dungeons. Sounds familiar, right? But don’t be fooled; a lot more is happening beneath the surface.

The real twist comes with the new ability to duplicate objects and enemies from the environment. This mechanic gives players a chance to copy items and creatures. In turn, players use the items and characters during combat and puzzle-solving. It’s a fresh vibe of gameplay not often seen in top-down action-adventure games. The ability to summon and control enemies completely changes the game, making what could have been a familiar Zelda experience feel brand new.

If you enjoyed the crafting mechanics from Tears of the Kingdom, you’ll feel right at home in Echoes of Wisdom. Imagine duplicating a flying creature to glide over obstacles or stacking everyday objects to build your path. The game invites you into constant experimentation, and there’s always something new to try. Another aspect that makes the game stand out more is the protagonist herself. Armed with unique magical abilities, Zelda brings a different energy than Link.

The Game-Changer

One of the coolest things about Echoes of Wisdom is the ability to play as Zelda herself. For the first time, Zelda becomes the star of a mainline game. Previously, Princess Zelda only appeared in third-party titles like Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon and spin-offs such as Hyrule Warriors and Cadence of Hyrule.

Now, here’s the best part. Zelda isn’t just a copy of Link with a few tweaks. She has her own magical abilities that really set her apart. Her powers focus on summoning creatures to help with both combat and puzzles. Zelda controls creatures and objects instead of the usual sword and shield, bringing a whole new vibe to the game. 

The new entry title focuses more on strategy than brute force. Players can summon wolves to take down enemies, spiders to climb walls, or birds to fly over obstacles, offering a fun, creative way to interact with the game world. Notably, it makes Zelda feel powerful in a totally different way than Link.

Creativity Is King

What truly sets Echoes of Wisdom apart is its emphasis on creativity. If you want to survive, you must think outside the box. Of course, nothing comes easy. Whether duplicating objects or summoning creatures to solve puzzles, the possibilities feel almost endless. This is the kind of game that rewards players for experimenting and trying new stuff. The game gives you those “aha” moments when a clever solution clicks in. 

That said, some players might find themselves falling into a pattern of using the same solutions repeatedly. For example, once you realize you can stack beds to create bridges or summon certain creatures to bypass obstacles, it can be tempting to stick with that strategy. Conversely, the game doesn’t always push you to experiment as much as possible. However, the variety of options available makes it easy to mix things up if you choose to.

The mechanics in Echoes of Wisdom make it feel like a sandbox of possibilities. Summoning a spider to climb a wall or using a flying enemy to cross a wide chasm are just a few creative ways to tackle the game’s challenges. The freedom to experiment keeps the gameplay fresh, and no two players are likely to approach puzzles in the same way.

Ultimately, the game is packed with moments that make players pause and think, “Can I do that?” And more often than not, the answer is yes. The sense of freedom and creativity makes this game stand out, even if the rewards aren’t always as exciting as they could be.

The Future

Nintendo seems to hint at a broader future for Zelda with Echoes of Wisdom. For years, fans have wondered if Zelda would ever take the lead in her own adventure. Worry no more; she now takes the lead, and it feels like a new chapter for the franchise. The gameplay in Echoes of Wisdom suggests that we might see more Zelda-led games.

This new lead raises an interesting question: Will the Zelda series split into two distinct branches? On one side, we could have the large, open-world adventures starring Link, focusing on exploration and combat. On the other side, we would have more puzzle-oriented, magic-based games starring Zelda. It’s a tantalizing possibility, and Echoes of Wisdom feels like the start of that new direction.

The game gives Zelda her own identity as a protagonist, with mechanics that make her feel like more than just a re-skinned version of Link. By focusing on magic and summoning, Nintendo has created a gameplay style that fits perfectly with Zelda’s character. It’s a refreshing change, which opens the door to exciting possibilities for the series’ future.

Endless Possibilities

While Echoes of Wisdom takes place in the familiar Hyrule, we know and love, interacting with the world feels brand new. The ability to duplicate and summon items and enemies changes the exploration process. Need to cross a river? Just summon a creature to fly over it. Stuck at the bottom of a cliff? Duplicate objects and build a staircase. Every obstacle becomes a puzzle, and the freedom to solve them your way is one of the game’s biggest highlights.

However, some players might feel the rewards for exploring don’t always match the effort. Often, players are rewarded with rupees, which can feel a bit disappointing. You cannot compare that with the satisfaction of solving a tricky puzzle or finding a hidden path. 

While you’ll occasionally stumble upon useful items or equipment upgrades, the focus is more on the adventure than the treasure. Nevertheless, the real joy of exploring Echoes of Wisdom comes from its creative freedom, letting you find unique ways through the game.

A Few Small Bumps

As fun and fresh as Echoes of Wisdom is, it’s not without a few small bumps. One issue is that the game doesn’t always push you to explore its cool mechanics fully. In Tears of the Kingdom, players spend hours building crazy contraptions. In Echoes of Wisdom, you might find yourself sticking to simple solutions most of the time. There’s definitely room for more complexity, but the game doesn’t always challenge you to get as creative as it should.

Another small drawback is that the rewards for exploration can sometimes feel a bit lacking. While the game encourages players to explore and experiment, the payoff is often only rupees or basic items. It would have been great to see more unique rewards, like special abilities or gear, to make exploration feel more exciting. But honestly, these are minor issues in the bigger picture. Echoes of Wisdom still delivers a super satisfying and creative experience that stands out. 

Verdict

While it doesn’t completely reinvent the wheel, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom pushes the series in a new direction that’s full of potential. It’s familiar enough to satisfy longtime fans. On the other hand, it introduces enough fresh ideas to keep the adventure engaging.

The game could push you to experiment more and offer better rewards for exploration, but these are minor quibbles in the grand scheme. The game is all about discovery, creativity, and the thrill of exploring a world of possibilities. And these possibilities feel more exciting than ever. Ultimately, Echoes of Wisdom reminds us why we love Zelda. Nevertheless, whether a Zelda expert or diving into Hyrule for the first time, this game is worth playing.